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Travel Awards
Travel awards are one of the most valued member benefits offered by ASA, CSSA, and SSSA. These awards provide financial support for students and professionals to share their research, expand their networks, and grow their careers at leading scientific meetings and programs.
Each year, members may apply for travel support to attend CANVAS as well as other conferences and specialized programs. Award opportunities vary by audience and focus, but all are designed to make professional development more accessible.
Dates and deadlines:
- CANVAS Travel Awards open: May 5, 2026
- CANVAS Travel Awards close: July 9, 2026
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Graduate Student Leadership Conference
Graduate Student Leadership Conference – Apply Now!
Description
The Graduate Student Leadership Conference provides opportunities to develop leadership skills through a dedicated itinerary including a communication workshop, professionalism, approaches to leadership, and networking skills. The conference also provides both structured and informal networking opportunities with other graduate students and Society leadership. Materials and lunch will be provided.
Up to 96 students will be selected to participate. The conference is held immediately preceding CANVAS on Sunday, November 1, 2026, approximately 8:00 am – 5:00 pm in Portland, Oregon. Questions? Email students@sciencesocieties.org.
Please note: This is not a travel award. The Graduate Student Leadership Conference is a selective professional development opportunity. Accepted applicants will be responsible for a $100 registration fee.
Eligibility Applicants must be a current graduate student member of ASA, CSSA, or SSSA. Past Graduate Student Leadership Conference participants are not eligible.
Deadline July 31, 2026
Status Apply Now
Professional CANVAS Travel Awards
Indian University Graduate Student Travel Award
Purpose To encourage the development of bright young soil scientists or agronomists who have recently completed their Ph.D. from a university in India, in the general area of quantifying soil-water-crop-climate process interactions and their applications in management. The recipient will receive a travel award consisting of a $2,500 travel stipend, abstract fee waiver, and registration for attending the upcoming CANVAS Meeting.
EligibilityNominees must have completed their Ph.D. from a university in India within the two years prior to the upcoming CANVAS Meeting and pursuing research/work in the agronomic or soil sciences.
Open Date May 5, 2026
Status Closed
Caregiver Travel Award
Purpose To support attendees who face challenges in attending CANVAS due to expenses related directly to their responsibilities as the primary caregiver for a child or other dependent. Five individual grants in the amount of $500 each will be awarded for the 2026 CANVAS Meeting.
Eligibility See full award page for selection criteria.
Open Date May 5, 2026
Status Closed
Student CANVAS Travel Awards
Bayer Fellows Award
Purpose The Bayer Fellows Program supports graduate students and recent postdocs interested in careers in industry by providing mentorship, professional development, and networking opportunities through participation in the CANVAS Meeting.
- Connect participants with Bayer Crop Science mentors and industry professionals
- Support career development through networking, leadership experiences, and professional training
Eligibility
- Graduate students (M.S. or Ph.D.) near graduation or postdocs within two years of completion
- Must attend and/or present at the CANVAS Meeting (Nov. 1–4, 2026)
- Self-nomination required; includes application materials and one reference letter
- Preference given to ASA, CSSA, and SSSA members and those closest to graduation
Open Date May 5, 2026
Status Closed
Bridge Scholars Award – Now Open!
Purpose The Bridge Scholars Program supports students in agronomic, crop, soil, and environmental sciences by providing funding to attend the CANVAS meeting, along with mentorship and professional development opportunities. Designed to foster growth and increase access for all students—including those from historically underrepresented groups. Click here for more information.
Eligibility Nominees must be graduate or undergraduate students based in the US or US Territories.
Deadline June 15th, 4:00 pm CT
Status Apply Now
Graduate Student Travel Award
Purpose To support qualified students who plan to present research at CANVAS, and are unable to attend the meeting without additional outside financial assistance, and can provide justification outlining how meeting attendance will benefit their careers. Travel scholarships will be awarded to 10 students, with funding of up to $750 per student.
EligibilityApplicants must be graduate student members of ASA, CSSA, or SSSA. Past recipients of this travel award are not eligible to apply.
Open Date May 5, 2026
Status Closed
Hans Jenny Soil Field Trip Award
Purpose To support SSSA student participation in field trips/tours offered at CANVAS by subsidizing their participation.
EligibilityApplicants must be undergraduate or graduate student members of ASA, CSSA, or SSSA
Open Date May 5, 2026
Status Closed
Henry Lin Travel Grant
Purpose To support graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who fit within the broad area of soil science in the form of a travel award, specifically for CANVAS. Five individual grants in the amount of $2,000 each will be awarded for the 2026 CANVAS Meeting.
EligibilityApplicants must be within seven years of their terminal degree as of December 31 of the award year. Former recipients of this award are not eligible to apply.
Open Date May 5, 2026
Status Closed
Jeffrey L. Smith Graduate Student Travel Award
Purpose This travel award supports a graduate student presenting research in Soil Biology & Biochemistry or Forest, Range & Wildland Soils at CANVAS and encourages participation in these divisions. One award in the amount of $3,000 will be awarded for the 2026 CANVAS Meeting.
EligibilityApplicants must be members of the Soil Biology & Biochemistry or Forest, Range & Wildland Soils Divisions of SSSA, working broadly in soil biology, biogeochemistry, or microbial ecology, and must have completed two semesters of graduate work toward an M.S. or Ph.D. in the Natural Sciences. Nominees must be the presenting author with a submitted abstract for in-person presentation (oral or poster) in one of these divisions at the annual meeting. Former recipients of this award are not eligible to apply.
Open Date May 5, 2026
Status Closed
Robert J. Luxmoore Graduate Student Travel Award
Purpose This award supports graduate students presenting research in Forest, Range & Wildland Soils at CANVAS. Three individual grants in the amount of $1,500 each will be awarded for the 2026 CANVAS Meeting.
EligibilityNominees must be current graduate student members of the Forest, Range & Wildland Soils Division of SSSA and must have submitted an abstract for in-person presentation (oral or poster) at CANVAS.
Open Date May 5, 2026
Status Closed
Luxmoore Soil Physics Student Travel Award
Purpose This award provides travel support to undergraduate or graduate students presenting research in Soil Physics and Hydrology at CANVAS.
EligibilityApplicants must be undergraduate or graduate student members of ASA, CSSA, or SSSA and are expected to present an oral or poster presentation in a Soil Physics and Hydrology Division session at CANVAS. Three individual grants in the amount of $1,000 each will be awarded for the 2026 CANVAS Meeting.
Open Date May 5, 2026
Status Closed
Soil and Water Management and Conservation Division Graduate Student Award
Purpose This award recognizes a graduate student conducting innovative research in soil and water conservation with a $350 travel stipend to support attendance at CANVAS.
EligibilityApplicants must be graduate student members of SSSA and members of the Soil and Water Management and Conservation Division.
Open Date May 5, 2026
Status Closed
How to Get Started with an Award Nomination:
- Browse Available Awards
Review the list of available awards above and choose the ones that align with your or your nominee's accomplishments. - Start your nomination
Once you select the Award, click "Apply Now," and complete the required questions and submissions — these will be auto-saved as you go. - Submit by the deadline
Be sure to complete all requirements prior to the deadline listed. This includes submission of reference letters.